Drying machine



E. J. LANUTERBUR ETA-IL 2,269,773

Jan. 13, 1942.

DRYING MAGHINE File i Aug. 25, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l R, CLIFFORD R.GLASER,

Jan. 13, 1942. ETJAL' DRYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1937 E. J. LAUTERBUR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .FIEE.

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GLASER,

Jan. 13, 1942. E. J. LAUTERBUR arm.

' DRYING MACHINE File d Aug. 25, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet s FIE-5.

.Jwuwbq ED WARD .TJJIUTERBUR.

CLIFFORD'R. GLASER,

Jan. 13, 1942 E. J. LAUT-ERBU'R ETAL DRYING MACHINE Filed Aug 25, 193'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ED WARD .T. LAUTERBU CLIFFORD R- GLASER.

Jan. 13, 1942.

E. J. LAUTERBUR ETAL DRYING MACHINE iiled Aug. 25, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 5 EDWARD ILAUTERBUR,

CLIFFORD R. GLASER,

Jan. 13, 1942 E. J. LAUTERBUR ETAL I 2,259,773

DRYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I II llllllllllll I I l I l i 'l I I Jim 0 0 Q o o o E DWARD .TIRUTERBUR,

Patented Jan. 13, 1942 DRYING MACHINE Edward J. Lauterbur and Clifford R. Glaser, Sidney, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Automatic Washer Company, Newton, Iowa, a

corporation of Delaware Application August 25, 1937, Serial No. 160,882

5 Claims.

This invention relates to drying machines.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combined closure and drain board for the tub or compartment of a spinner or drying device associated with a Washing machine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in a drying machine, a combined closure member and drain board adapted for full adjustment in 360 degrees of arc.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a combined closure and drain board, means to secure the combined closure and drain board firmly to the tub or compartment of a drier against accidental removal therefrom, while permitting ease of detachment thereof, when desired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such structure, means to protect the user against contact with the top of a rotatable drier or spinner basket within the tub or compartment of the drier.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such means to prevent clothes from being forced between the drier or spinner basket'and the tub and/or closure in loading the drier.

It is a further object of this invention to provide annular bearing means adapted to rest upon the top of the spinner tub or compartment to provide for rotatable support of the combined closure and drain board, whereby to obviate frictional wear between the combined closure and drain board and the top of the tub or compartment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined closure and drain board adapted for removable attachment to the top of the tub or compartment of a drier, which structure includes a stationary bearing member adapted for attachment to the top of the tub or compartment, which bearing member slidably supports a drain board for transverse sliding movement above the aperture provided in the stationary bearing member at the top of the tub or compartment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in and for use with a combined closure and drain board structure, a cover member provided with resilient gasket means adapted to prevent leakage between the cover member and the supporting closure and drain board structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a cover having a central aperture adapted for the insertion of a fluid hose, which aperture .is provided with gasket means adapted to prevent damage and/or marring of the hose and/ or cover member.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a cover member, an aperture having therein a resilient gasket member with a restricted orifice adapted to have the nozzle of a fluid hose inserted therein and resiliently attached thereto upon insertion, by the inherent resiliency of the gasket member, in such manner that the hose will operate both as a plug to close the central aperture and also as a handle, whereby the cover member may be moved into and out of engagement with the combined closure and drain board structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such structure, a cover member comprising an integral plate of resilient material such as rubber adapted to have its annular edges closely and firmly engaged in an annular recess in the combined closure and drain board structure in such manner as to prevent leakage therebetween.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an integral resilient plate member having an aperture provided therein for the insertion of a fluid hose.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an aperture which is adapted to have its annular surfaces firmly engaged with the nozzle of a fluid hose inserted therein and firmly retained in engagement therewith by the inherent resiliency of the plate member.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined closure and drain board structure for a washing machine wherein a raised rim is provided to direct the flow of drain water; and to provide particularly for cooperation with said rim a ribbed upper drain board surface inclined substantially radially outwardly from the aperture in the closure and drain board structure.

These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a combined closure and drain board member constructed according to the principles of this invention, as applied to the top of a drier tub;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top planview, similar to Figure 1, of a modified closure and drain board structure;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan View of a second modification with the cover member partially broken away in the interest of clearnes of disclosure;

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a top plan view, similar to Figure 1, of a third modification;

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line I III of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a top plan View, similar to Figure 1, of a fourth modification;

Figure 13 is a section taken on the line I3-I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a top plan view, similar to Figure 1, of a fifth modification; and

Figure 15 isa section taken on the line 'I5I 5 of Figure 14.

Referring to the drawings in detail, th drier tub or compartment which is, preferably formed of resilient metal is designated I and is provided, atits upper edge, with a beading 2. In the form of tub illustrated in Figures 1 to 13 inclusive, the

.tub or compartment I is also provided with an annular recess 3 of arcuate cross section, which is disposed a slight distance below the heading 2 thereof, as shown particularlyin Figures 2, 5, 8, l1 and 13. The inner surface of the annular recess 3 is disposed inwardlyof the annular wall of the tub or compartment I and is designated 4. The tub or compartment I provides an enclosure for a rotatable spinner basket or extractor basket 5 which is suitably supported for rotation therein, by means not shown.

The upper annular edge of the spinner or basket member 5 is bent over inwardly at '6 to form a partial bead to prevent damage to the hands of a user or to-clothes inserted in the basket during loading thereof. Thespi-nner or basket member 5 is provided with spaced apertures I in the side walls thereof by means of which moisture may escape from clothing contained in the member? and'rotating therewith during a drying operation. The above described structure is common to the showings of Figures 1 to 13 inclusive and also to Figuresl4 and 15 excluding, of course, the recess 3 having'interior wall 4.

In the embodiment illustrated'in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the combined closure and drain board comprises an annular bearing ring 8 having'an annular slot 9 extending from the under face thereof, in which the bead 2 of the tub I and an adjacent portion of the tub are tightly disposed. The annular bearing ring 8 rests upon the tub I and, preferably having snap fit therewith, is-prevented from being-laterally displaced'therefrom by the outward force exerted by the inherent resiliency of the tub through the bead 2 against the ring 8. The upper portion of the annular bearing ring 8 terminates in an annular upwardly directed fiange I0 having an annular exterior step II and an annular undercut inner step I2. The body of the drain board and closure member proper is designated I4 and is provided with an exterior annular fiange I I5 which rests upon the step II of the annular bearing'ringil. A plurality of integral downwardly depending bracket of the tub I.

bosses I6 is also provided. These bearing bosses I6 each has its lower end adapted to slidably engage the annular step I2 of the annular bearing ring 8, as shown in Figure 2. Each bearing boss I6 is provided with a recess II adapted to receive the upper end of a spring clamp member I8 having therein an aperture I9, by means of which the upper end of the spring clamp member I8 is secured to the bearing boss I5 by the screw 20.

The lower end of each spring clamp member IB is provided with a bent portion 2| which is adapted to be retained in engagement with the inner wall of the tub I below the inner surface 4 of the recess 3 by the inherent resiliency of the spring clamp I8 which is preferably formed of spring metal. The force exerted upon the body I by the end portion 2I of the clamp I8 is opposite that exerted by the tub, through bead 2 upon the-bearing ring 8. The engagement of flange I0 and bosse I6 prevents relative radial movement'and thus friction betweeirbody I4 and ring 8 is created. It will thus beseen that, by means of the spring clamp-members 'IS, the body I4 of the combined closure and drain board is'retained downwardly in engagement with the annular bearing ring 8 which rests upon the upper edge The spring clamp. members l8 likewise-retain the annular bearing ring 8, which is disposed between the body I4 and thetub I, infirm engagement with the-top of the tub I. These spring clamps I8 likewise resiliently resist rotation of the body I4 with respect to .thetub I and, when it is desired to removed-the body =I4 from the tub I, it is merely necessary to draw the body I4 straight upwardly, wherebythe portions 2I of the spring clamps I8 will ride over the interior surface 4of the recess 3 of the tub and permit the body to be removed from engagement withthebearing ring and with the tub. The spring clamp members I8 and their portions 2I likewise provide guide means forengaging the interior wall ofthe bearing lring'a and the surface 4 of the tub I when the :parts are again assembled.

WhenIthe body I4 is removed from the tub,

the bearing ring 8'may be liftedfromthetub in the construction shown inrFigures 1, 2 and 3, but it is tobe clearly understood thatsuitablemeans,

such as screws (not shown) maybe used for'rig- .idly securing the annularbearing ring 18' to the tub I. The body I4:is provided with a central aperture 22 to provide access to the interior of the spinner or drier. This aperture 22 is surrounded by a recessed annular step 23 which is adapted to 'b'eengaged by the peripheral edges of a cover member '24 which comprises a plate or disk of rubber or other suitable resilient material ,having-anaperture 25 therein, intorwhich the nozzle of a fluid'hose is adapted-to be inserted. While the size 'of the aperture 25 may be 'varied, asdesired, it is preferredthat'its di- 'ameterbe slightly lessthanthe diameter of the hose nozzle adapted to be used therewith in ord'er that, when the hose nozzle is inserted therein, the inherent'resiliencyof the disk-24 will retain the cover in firm engagement with thenoz rzle, whereby thenozzle maybe used both as a plug and alsoas ahandle when removingthe cover from its'supporting annular step 323.

The drain board which is designated .26 is formed integrally with the body I4 and extends from one side thereof; as'shown in Figures l, 2

and 3. The drain board'flares:outwardly and has the fioor or bottomwall thereof inclined outwardly at a slight angle and provided with ribs 26a. At each side, the drain board is provided with an upstanding side flange 21 which when a hose nozzle is inserted in the aperture 25 in the cover 24, leakage of fluid from the interior of the drier is entirely prevented. Likewise, the closure and drain board are rotatable throughout 360 degrees of arc, and the friction provided by the end portions 2| of the spring clamps I8 retains the drain board and closure against displacement from any adjusted position. This structure, as well as the structure illustrated in Figures 4 to 15 inclusive, is particularly adapted for use with driers or drier tanks which are supported along with washing apparatus upon a common frame or table. By means of the rotatably adjustable feature of the structure, the drain board 25 may be directed toward the interior of the washing tub or apparatus when it is desired to load the drier, in which case the drain board 26 will serve substantially as a bridge to facilitate loading of the drier.

When it is desired to unload the drier tub or compartment I, it is merely necessary to rotatably adjust the structure in such manner as to direct the drain board 26 toward the tub, rack or table upon which it is desired to place the clothing or materials from which moisture has been extracted by rotation in the drier, in the rotatable spinner basket 5. Where it is desired, the annular bearing ring 8 may be omitted and the body I4 of the closure structure may rest directly upon the bead 2 at the top of the tub I, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11. It may likewise be preferable to increase the diameter of the central aperture 22 in the body I4, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11. In that case the annular step 23 will be of substantially greater diameter and the length of the spring clamp members I3 will be substantially reduced in order that the end portion 2| thereof will closely engage the inner tank surface, as shown in those figures.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the annular step 23 may be formed similarly to the step 23 of the body I4, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in which case it is particularly adapted to supportingly receive a cover disk such as the resilient cover disk 24 illustrated in Figure 2. It may, however, be desirable to provide an arcuate step 23 such as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, which is particularly adapted to supportingly receive an annular cover member 28 having secured to its outer periphery an annular resilient gasket 29 of rubber or the like and provided with a central aperture having a similarly attached annular resilient gasket 30. The gasket 30 provides for the insertion of hose nozzles in the central aperture without marring of the nozzle or of the annular cover member 28. The resilient gasket 29 provides for circular line contact between the combined cover member and the step 23 which effectively prevents leakage between the cover and the body I4 of the closure member.

The combined closure and drain board structures of Figures 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 are directly 7 supported by the tub I and are freely rotatable thereon, but adapted to be retained in any adjusted position by the friction exerted upon the interior walls of the tub I by the resilient spring members I8 in such manner that accidental displacement from adjusted position is prevented. The enlarged central apertures 22 in the bodies I4 provide full access to the interior of the tub I and the enclosed rotatable basket member 5 so that the basket member 5 may be removed from the casing or tub I without removal of the combined closure and drain board structure, if'desired.

In the structure shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, 12

and 13, the body member I4 is provided with a or that the clothing inserted in the basket be forced between the basket and tub and/or combined closure and drain board structure. The combined closure and drain board structure has the body I4 thereof rotatably supported upon the top of the tub, and the provision of the resilient clamp members I8 provides for retention thereof upon the tub against accidental displacement therefrom, While the friction of the resilient members I8 exerted upon the interior of the tub I prevents accidental relative rotation between the body I4 and the tub I. The body portion I4 in the form illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 is provided with strengthening ribs 32 at the under side thereof in order to increase the strength of the drain board 26.

As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the form of structure illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9, 1 2 and 13 is particularly adapted to receive a cover member 28'somewhat similar to that illustrated in Figure 5, being provided with the external gasket 29, but having a modified form of central gasket 30 which has a reduced central aperture 33 adapted to closely engage a nozzle 34 when inserted therein. The nozzle 34, after being inserted in central gasket 30, is resiliently retained therein by the inherent resiliency of the material of which the central gasket member 30 is formed. The nozzle 34 thus performs the function of a handle, while at the same time tightly closing the aperture 33.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the body I4 may, optionally, be provided with resilient spring clamps I8a similar to the above described spring clamps I8 and likewise secured by screws 20a similar to screws 20. These spring clamps I8a are placed in opposition to the spring clamps I8 in such manner that the bent portions 2|, at their lower ends, engage the exterior or concave side of the annular recess 3 in the tub I.

In the form illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, the body portion 35 is provided with a suitable annular groove 36 at its under side, into which the beading 2 of the tank or tub I closely fits. Suitable means may be provided for securing the body member 35 to the tank, although generally the weight of the supported structure will suflice to retain the parts in position. Secured at each side, by bolts 38, to the body member 35 is a side rail member 31 having a longitudinal groove 39 formed at its inner side and extending from end to end thereof.

Slidably supported in the grooves 39 is the plate member 40 which performs the function of drain board. At each transverse edge, the plate member 40 is provided with a notch 4I adapted to be engaged bythe finger of an operator in sliding the plate member 4!] from, the position illustrated in full-lines inFigure 14 to the position illustrated in dotted, lines therein and vice versa. While, in the absence of the provision of clamping means for securing body member 35 to tank I, the body member and the supported parts are freely rotatable with respect to the tank I it is generally preferred that such clamping means be provided, in which case the parts will be so adjusted that the plate 40, when in the full line position illustrated in Figure 14, extends substantially over the tub of washing apparatus supported, having a common support with the drier tub I.

When the plate is in this position, it forms a drain board which extends between the washer tub and the drier tub and/or enclosed basket 5, and, where it is desired that a cover member such as those illustrated in Figures 2, and 8 be provided, it is merely necessary to extend the plate 40 further outwardlyfrom the drier tub in order to permit the cover member to be engaged with one of the annular steps 42 or 43 of the body member 35. Where it is desired to transfer clothes past the drier or to transfer a portion of clothes resting upon the plate 40 past the drier after other of the clothes have been removed therefrom, it is merely necessary that the plate 40 be slidably moved from the full line position to the dotted line position, as illustrated in Figure 14.

If it is desired to operate the drier or extractor without the use of a covermember such as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 8, it is merely necessary to center the plate member 40 or place it in a position intermediate the full and dotted line positions illustrated in Figure 14, in which case this member will prevent any substantial splashing or leakage from the drier tank or compartment. Furthermore, when it is desired, a pair of plates 40 may be provided and supported in the grooves 39 in such manner that one plate member will be substantially in the full line position shown in Figure 14, while the other will be I substantially in the dotted line position as shown in Figure 14, when it is desired to have access to the drier tank or basket. When it is desired to close the central aperture 44 of the body member 35, it will be merely necessaiy to move the two plate members together so that their adjacent edges will be in abutment, in which case the inner notches 4| will cooperate to form a substantially circular aperture through which a hose nozzle may be inserted for access to the interior of the basket member 5.

It will, of course, be understood that those forms of closure and drain board structure, which are illustrated as directly supported upon the top of the tub member I, may be provided with annular bearing ring members 8, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, by providing them with spring clamp members l8 of suitable length. It is furthermore to be understood that the integral resilient plate member is susceptible of use as a cover for other forms than that shown in Figure 2, and it islikewise to be clearly understood that the formof cover member illustrated in Figure 5 or that illustrated in Figure 8 may be substituted for the integral resilient plate member 24 in the form of structure illustrated in Figure 2. They may likewise be appliedto any of the other structures illustrated in the drawings. While the body member 35, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, is provided with a central aperture 44 which is larger in diameter than is the aperture in the basket member 5, it is, of course, to be understood that a lip member, such as the lip member 3| shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13, may be applied to this member in order to prevent accidental contact with the upper portion of the basket 5.

It will be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of the manner in which the principles of our invention may be utilized and that we desire to comprehend within our invention such modifications as come Within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In drying apparatus including a stationary tub enclosing a rotatable extractor basket, a combined closure and drain board including an annular member rotatably supported on said tub and extending over a substantial portion of the area above the opening of said tub, a drain board formed integrally with said annular member and extending radially therefrom, and means for detachably locking said annular member to said tub in a selected position, said last-named means resiliently retaining said annular member in adjusted angular position with respect to said tub.

2. In washer means, a drier tub, a centrally apertured annular closure member rotatably supported on said tub and extending over a substantial portion of the area above the opening of said tub, a drain board on said closure member and integral therewith, and a resilient cover of rubber-like material closing the aperture in said closure member and having a central hose aperture.

3. In washer means, a drier tub having a spinner basket rotatable therein, a closure member rotatably attached to said drier tub and having a ribbed drain board thereon, said closure member having an annular lip extending into the top of said spinner basket, and means to removably secure said closure member on said tub comprising an annular recess adjacent the top of said tub and depending spring clamp members on said closure member adapted to engage the interior portion of said annular recess.

4. In means for rotatably and removab y retaining a closure member on a tub member, an annular inwardly extending groove on said tub member adjacent the top thereof, and a cooperating spring clamp member having its upper end rigidly secured to said closure member and having a bent lower end adapted to engage said tub member.

5. In means for rotatably and removably retaining a closure member on a tub member, an annular inwardly extending groove on said tub member adjacent the top thereof, and a cooperating spring clamp member having its upper end rigidly secured to said closure member and having a bent lower end, the lower end of said spring clamp member being adapted to resiliently engage the interior surface of the groove in said tub member.

EDWARD J. LAUTERBUR. CLIFFORD R. GLASER. 

